Prosecution, defense begin cases with opening statement

3:09 AM,
Oct. 9, 2013

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Written by

Patrick O?Neill
Staff Writer

Dressed in a light gray suit and sporting a stylish up-do and accompanying goatee, Lafonse Dixon displayed a carefree disposition Tuesday, rocking in his chair and smiling at Judge Kelly Cottrill's joke about the chilly courtroom.

Dixon has pleaded not guilty to murder, kidnapping and arson in the killing of 29-year-old Celeste Fronsman of Canton, who was found Aug. 26, 2012, in the middle of Ohio 208 near the Tri-Valley Recreation Area. She was burned, beaten and died two days later from her injuries.

Opening statements began just after 9 a.m. Tuesday. The defense attempted to lay the ...